Investors can see anti-corruption efforts — Palace

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

January 30, 2026 | 2:41pm

MANILA, Philippines — After the Philippines recorded a sharp decline in economic growth due to the corruption scandal, Malacañang on Friday remained confident that it could win back consumer and business confidence through its anti-corruption efforts. 

The shocking corruption scandal at the Department of Public Works and Highways triggered a pause on locally funded construction projects, as well as additional safeguards to government spending.

Following this, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saw its lowest yearly gross domestic product (GDP) rate yet at 4.4%.

After the Philippines recorded a sharp decline in economic growth due to the corruption scandal, Malacañang on Friday remained confident that it could win back consumer and business confidence through its anti-corruption efforts. the lowest post-pandemic score yet. Marcos’ economic chief Arsenio Balisacan has attributed the decline to the corruption scandal shaking people’s trust. 

Despite some believing that not enough people have been arrested or detained, the Palace maintained that efforts are ongoing. 

“Sa ating pagkakatingin, nakikita po ng mga investors kung paano po nililinis ng pamahalaan ngayon, kasalukuyang administrasyon, ang ating bansa mula sa korapsyon, sa isyu ng pang-aabuso sa pondo ng bayan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. 

(From what we see, the investors are seeing how the government, this administration, is cleaning out corruption from our country, from the issue of abusing public funds.) 

This sentiment is not just for the investors, but for the public as well, added Castro. 

Marcos earlier met with his economic team to discuss the recent GDP report. Castro, quoting the president, said that it was time to move forward. 

The president ordered the fast-tracking of infrastructure projects, specifically the building of classrooms. 

All agencies involved must submit factual reports on the progress of these projects every two weeks, Castro said.